Guerilla Radio: Hip Hop Under Castro (Cuba, 2007)

Synopsis: Journey through a Cuba that few Americans know exists. Hundreds of hip-hop groups are forming across the island, inspired entirely by love of the music. Unlike hip-hop in the United States, there’s no promise of a better life if Cuban rappers produce a hit.

They work against a stark backdrop of prostitution, black-market capitalism and poverty, in part because the typical Cuban makes only $15 a month. Complicating matters is a police force that tosses the rappers in jail if their songs criticize Fidel Castro or his communist government.

Even if you don’t care for hip-hop, you will be fascinated by the struggle of the Cuban people and what they’re doing to survive.

The Buena Vista Social Club was the music of Cuba’s past; Guerrilla Radio is the music of Cuba’s future.